Science activities for the busy teacher.
This blog will be participating in the A to Z challenge for April 2016. Posts are abbreviated for visitors. Pertinent links for more in-depth information are provided. Warning to non-teachers, comments will get very honest answers concerning anything unsafe to do in a classroom. Teachers would not take it personal. Neither should you. Safety is first.

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Monday, March 20, 2017

For A to Z this year, my theme for this blog will be the "Fact versus Opinion" tour.

As a teacher, I knew what it was like to be Ceasar's wife. I got along with everyone the best that I could. I voiced few opinions outside of family and close friends. I agreed with every child about what mom and dad said. Really, the world is a good place, lots of good children and parents. It's funny how the negative ones can really color opinions and your day.

We talk about the problems with illiteracy. What about illiteracy with math or science? Do they exist? Sure, knowledge is power. Knowledge is power in that it allows an informed decision when needed. What flavor of ice cream is immaterial. What flavor of ice cream is a big deal when someone has a nut allergy. We constantly process information.

So knowledge is power.

As a teacher I was tasked with a variety of topics to teach. One was not to smoke. I never discussed the issue heavy handed. Most sixth graders would seriously say they would never smoke. I worked more in the children understanding it was their decision. Unless they had a good reason to not smoke, they may pick the habit up one day. They needed to recognize that a couple of puffs with a friend who smoked could lead to a habit.

I would love to just tell people that climate change is real and that would be it. But people need to understand what climate change is to believe it is real. Interesting enough, oilman now secretary of state Rex Tillerson believes climate change is real. He also believes people will not make changes to prevent the repercussions so why bother.

We make decisions based on what we know. Sometimes, people have opinions because that is what everyone thinks around them. Consider the vaccine to prevent genital warts. When groups of people organized to say the vaccine would encourage promiscuity in teenagers, Governor Rick Scott of Texas shut them down with the statement to the effect that the prevention of genital warts was a public health matter not a morality issue. Although a very conservative politician, he made a decision based on fact.

I'm not discussing politics, will not touch on climate change, Different aspects of science I found interesting as a teacher are the topics. I hope you find them interesting too.

Please use a hyperlink to your blog with your comment so I can read your post. My strategy is to read five blogs above and below mine in the A to Z comment section each day. I will be putting my hyperlinks there.

Safety Always

These activities are chosen and designed to be safe. The nature of an accident is it is not planned. Water is a very safe substance. Spill water on the floor, someone can slip and fall. The greatest safety rule is to Think before you Do.

I taught science for over 30 years. I had a few accidents in the classroom. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt. Purchasing a set of safety glasses at the dollar store is a good investment. I know parents, schools, etc shouldn't ask you to buy such. Life is all too real. If someone got hurt, you would have immense guilt.

Know your audience. There is a balance between a math teacher too afraid to let a group of students use a compass because it has a sharp point and the free for all approach some teachers use.

I've got a safety contract that I used in the classroom. Feel free to use it. The shorter and clearer the rule, the more compliance you will get. If you have that child or parent that you have to think like a Philadelphia lawyer around, realize it is an opportunity to deliver your instruction more clearly and safely.

I will post any warnings or cautions that I can think when making the posts. However, I cannot be responsible for what happens in your classroom or home. Use any of these activities at your own risk.